Lockheed Martin has unveiled a full-size mockup of the Vectis, a stealth combat drone designed to operate alongside F-35 fighter jets, at the Air, Space & Cyber 2026 conference in Maryland.
The aircraft is being developed by Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin's advanced-projects division, for joint missions with F-35 fighters and other modern combat aircraft.
Vectis is being built as an autonomous, low-observable drone capable of carrying out reconnaissance, gathering targeting data, conducting electronic warfare and deploying weapons. It is intended to work alongside manned fighters, adding sensors and weapons-carrying capacity to a combat formation while reducing the risk to pilots.
Design and Engine Details
Lockheed Martin first presented the Vectis concept in 2025, and the first flight of a prototype is planned for 2027. The drone will be powered by a Williams International FJ44-4 engine producing more than 3,600 pounds of thrust.
One of the aircraft's central features is its low radar signature, which is meant to let it operate in airspace defended by modern air-defense systems.
Part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program
Vectis is being developed under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which envisions drones flying alongside manned fighter jets as part of mixed combat formations. The program is a US Air Force effort to pair crewed aircraft with uncrewed systems that can extend sensor coverage and firepower without adding pilots to the fight.
The US Air Force is already testing two other drones in this class: the YFQ-42A, built by General Atomics, and the YFQ-44A, built by Anduril. Vectis remains at an earlier stage, still preparing for its first flight, which is planned for 2027.
Lockheed Martin's Role in the Program
Lockheed Martin is one of the major US defense contractors competing to supply uncrewed aircraft for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, alongside General Atomics and Anduril. The F-35, which Vectis is designed to support, is Lockheed Martin's flagship fifth-generation fighter jet, built for both the US military and allied air forces.
